Minutes: 14 May 2025

1. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence from—

Rea Cris, Public Affairs Manager, Open Seas;

Calum Duncan, Head of Policy and Advocacy, Marine Conservation Society;

Dr Nick Hesford, Interim Director, Scotland, Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust;

Dan Paris, Director of Policy and Engagement, Scottish Environment LINK;

Ailis Watt, Senior Land Use Policy Officer, RSPB Scotland;

Nikki Sinclair, Green Belts Alliance Manager/National Parks Strategy Project Manager, Action to Protect Rural Scotland;

Bruce Wilson, Head of Policy and Advocacy, Scottish Wildlife Trust.

2. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Town and Country Planning (Marine Fish Farming) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2025 from—

Elspeth Macdonald, Chief Executive, Scottish Fishermen’s Federation;

Professor Paul Tett, Reader in Coastal Ecosystems, Scottish Association for Marine Science;

Mike Spain, Director of Aquaculture, Crown Estate Scotland;

Sean Black, Senior Scientific Officer for Aquaculture, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals;

Dr Iain Berrill, Head of Technical, Salmon Scotland.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

Disease Control (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2025

The Committee agreed to make no recommendations in relation to the instrument.

4. Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill (in private):

The Committee considered the evidence heard earlier in the meeting.